Fuelling yourself on the go

With lots of people giving health and wellbeing more consideration these days – and a number of food and drink businesses getting in on the healthy eating action – it’s getting far easier to maintain that healthy eating regime, even when on the go.

Our #WarmerWelcome ambassador – wellbeing expert, dietician and avid traveller, Celynn Morin – has given us plenty of tips on how to make the healthiest food choices, even when travelling.

Getting the most from your food

What you eat has a huge impact on your body and mind, so depending on whether you want to Rejuvenate, Focus and Relax, what you need to eat can vary.

If you want perform like a high-energy and resilient person, you need to eat like one, and likewise, if you want to relax and take it easy, it’s vital that you choose your foods carefully and are mindful of your portions.

Celynn’s top food guidelines are great to keep in mind, no matter where you are – at home or travelling and eating from restaurant and room services menus:

Don’t under eat – your fuel tank cannot run on empty

Don’t overeat – you will feel sluggish and lethargic

Choose real, unprocessed food – the closer to nature, the better

Be balanced – allow for some flexibility

Have fun – eat with enjoyment and gratitude

Above all, listen to your body. It will tell you a lot more than you may realise!

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Snack for stamina

This is vital when you’re travelling…whether you want to make the most of a trip you’re taking for fun, or you need to stay alert for that important business meeting or conference.

And that’s where Smart Snacking comes in – eating the correct portions of a variety of fresh, raw foods at the right time will keep hunger pangs at bay and also keep your mind alert.

So if you’re travelling and working from a hotel, check out options for fresh fruits, nuts and lean proteins to keep your physical and mental energy going.

You can get even more tips on Smart Snacking from our #WarmerWelcome ambassador on episode one of our Rejuvenate, Focus and Relax with Celynn Morin podcast series: Snacking for Rejuvenation.

Is coffee really king?

Sometimes your body and mind just need a pick-me-up, and that quick cappuccino or double espresso definitely has its place when you need to rejuvenate and focus – but don’t be tempted to ask for the same when you’re ordering again from the hotel bar barista. Excess caffeine can increase blood pressure, cause headaches and may contribute to insomnia in the evenings.

A herbal tea could help satiate that craving for a hot drink – and they count towards your daily water intake without adding to your calorie intake.

Or try some hot water with fresh lemon, mint or ginger. If you’re staying at one of our hotels, just ask the team and they’ll happily suggest some alternatives.

But if you just love the taste of coffee, try switching to decaf – you may not even taste the difference.

And remember…keep sipping on water throughout the day to stay hydrated. Again, our hotel teams will happily keep you topped up when you’re in one of our bars or lounges, and you’ll find bottles of still and sparkling water in your room.

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The restaurant and room service challenge

It’s super tempting to arrive at a hotel after travelling all day feeling like a real treat meal to make up for all of those hours on a plane or train, or sat in a car getting to your destination.

But, according to Celynn, being a little bit mindful of what you choose from the menu can help you feel so much better – and set you up for your trip. At Apex, we’ve got plenty of options to help you make the best choices possible.

Keep in mind a few simple tips the next time you’re perusing the restaurant or room service menu at any of our hotels, and you’ll be ready to tackle the meeting, get down to work, or feel fully relaxed:

Fill half your plate with colour by choosing salad or vegetables along with a palm-sized portion of protein and a fist-sized portion of starch or carbohydrates.

Order your dressings or sauces on the side and drizzle over your food – our teams are more than happy to accommodate this.

If you’re heading to bed, eat something light so you can get the best possible sleep as a heavy meal may increase the chances of indigestion or poor sleep quality. If you’ve had a large meal, wait a couple of hours before getting under the duvet.

Take your time – enjoy the company or just the general surroundings while you eat. This stops you over-eating and feeling uncomfortable.

If you think a main course portion might be too big, ask for a starter or half portion – or ask to take away your leftovers to enjoy another time. All of our rooms have fridges to keep them fresh!

Take a look at menus online and decide what you want to eat beforehand – all of our food options across our hotels are on the website, so you can choose your healthy meal in advance. This will make it easier to avoid the trap of giving into temptation and immediate gratification!

For more on Apex Hotels’ #WarmerWelcome including access to our podcast series, Rejuvenate, Focus and Relax with Celynn Morin and tips to get the most out of your stay with us, visit apexhotels.co.uk/warmerwelcome